Livestream to local hospitals

21 December 2017

This Wednesday we were delighted to share the matinee performance of Chichester Festival Youth Theatre's Beauty and the Beast with the children's wards at St Richard's and Worthing Hospitals, as we livestreamed a performance from the Festival Theatre for the first time.

The performance ran as usual, with three cameras positioned around the auditorium to capture different angles as it was broadcast live to the play rooms in both hospitals for families to come together and enjoy, as well as to individual tablets for those children currently in isolation or receiving treatment.

Former CFYT member Sephora Parish, who has performed in various CFYT Christmas productions over the years, was asked to introduce the show for those watching on screens: "As an ex-member of Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, I was really touched to be part of this special event. It’s such a great idea because it allows young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to experience the magic of live theatre. Being part of the Youth Theatre was an unforgettable part of growing up for me and it’s hard for any us to leave; so to be invited back to share this extraordinary show with the children at St Richard’s and Worthing Hospitals makes me incredibly proud."

Director of Beauty and the Beast, and our Head of Learning, Education and Participation Dale Rooks said: “Our production has a cast of 72 young people, out of the 800 who take part in Chichester Festival Youth Theatre across the region. Taking our performance to children and their families in hospital felt like a natural extension of our work in the community and we hope this might be the first of many.”